Q & A with James Berry
Crockett Youth Services Coordinator

Crockett Youth Services (CYS) is a program in Crockett, Texas, that provides educational and recreational services to the local youth. This is a partnership between MCH and the First United Methodist Church of Crockett.

Recently, CYS had an opportunity to participate in two separate basketball tournaments. Jump for Jesus was a tournament to help raise money to send Houston County youth to camp over the summer. The second tournament was the Spring Bling Super Shoot Out, one of the most anticipated basketball tournaments of the year. There were over 100 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) teams participating. The tournament was held at the League of America Gym in Houston, Texas.

James Berry, coordinator for CYS, talked with us about these events and the impact it has on the youth we serve.

Q: Why did you choose these events to participate in? A: Jump for Jesus gives our youth the opportunity to have fun while doing something that will have an impact on others. The tournament in Houston, Spring Bling Super Shoot Out, gives them the opportunity to leave their rural community see other areas and meet new people.

Q: What changes have you seen in the youth after these types of events? A: I have seen them become more confident. In the CYS program, we stress education and going to college, so getting our youth to bigger cities for a recreation event helps them see different universities. Sometimes we have the chance to visit the college campuses on these trips as well. These trips generate excitement and experiences our youth can share with others. Our youth made it all the way to the championship game at the Houston tournament. They earned the runner-up trophy and that was a great accomplishment for them.